The ASCAP Lab has unveiled its 2024 cohort for the AI and the Business of Music Challenge, continuing its journey to integrate technological innovations within the music industry. Commencing in collaboration with the NYC Media Lab at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, this initiative supports emerging startups with mentorship and funding to refine their applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in music production and business processes.
Launched in 2020, the annual ASCAP Lab Challenge strives to foster connections between rising tech entrepreneurs, ASCAP’s senior strategists, legal experts, and its community of writers, composers, and publishers. The programme aims to harness AI to enhance the music creation landscape—not only artistically but also in terms of operational efficiency and industry workflow enhancement.
The 2024 challenge introduces five cutting-edge startups: CRESQA, Music Tomorrow, RoEx, SoundSafe.ai, and Wavelets AI. Each brings unique AI-driven solutions tailored to modern music needs. Their introductions will feature on VERSED: The ASCAP Podcast in a special episode titled “The ASCAP Lab Gets Down to Business with AI,” which is slated for release on 24 October 2023.
CRESQA provides an AI-powered social media content assistant for musicians, automating social media strategies for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts. Their technology assists in creating personalised content schedules, aiming to ease social media engagement for artists.
Music Tomorrow focuses on analytics tools that utilise AI for enhancing artists’ visibility on streaming platforms. This startup aims to improve algorithmic performance by offering insights that enhance content discoverability and listener engagement.
RoEx presents AI-driven solutions for the technical aspects of music production, specifically multitrack mixing and mastering. Their tools aim to simplify intricate processes, ensuring professional quality in audio outputs.
SoundSafe.ai offers sophisticated audio watermarking solutions to bolster security and protect against piracy. Their AI system enhances detection of real-time audio piracy and potential audio deepfakes, a growing concern in digital music spaces.
Wavelets AI provides solutions to combat intellectual property infringement by focusing on the detection of AI-generated vocals in music. This startup offers tools for artists, labels, and content distributors to maintain integrity and originality in their works.
This year's challenge builds on the foundations of the 2023 programme, which centred on AI’s potential in music creation and experiential technologies. These efforts culminated in an ASCAP-produced documentary titled, “Prelude in AI Major: Crafting a Creator-First Future for AI,” highlighting the transformative roles of AI in music.
ASCAP’s commitment to educating its members about AI has included panels in key cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville, addressing the creative and legal intricacies of AI. These educational sessions are accessible on the ASCAP YouTube Channel and include discussions on unlocking AI's potential and navigating its legal frameworks.
Nick Lehman, ASCAP’s Chief Strategy and Digital Officer, reiterated the organisation’s dedication to advancing technological integration while safeguarding creators’ rights. He emphasised the importance of fostering dialogues between the music community and tech innovators as a means to drive progress within the industry.
The ASCAP Lab continues to explore further intersections between technology, art, and business, thereby enhancing the tools available to music creators and optimising the value derived from these technological advancements.
Source: Noah Wire Services